Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have a tall task in front of them, playing a Rockets squad that not only has more talent but is also playing arguably its best ball of the season. 

After a rough stretch, which included the consecutive games the Lakers took off them in Houston during The Happier Times, Houston has since got its stuff together and finished the season winning nine of 10. The vibes have improved considerably, as has the offense with Reed Sheppard inserted into the starting lineup. Offensive rebounding continues to be a strength, but it's not the only way the Rockets can generate points. And the defense is just as good as it's been. 

So where are they vulnerable? Where might the Lakers look to press some (relative) advantage? 

We break it down with Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets. 

Plus, a health update from El Segundo after Tuesday's practice. The good news? Jaxson Hayes is fine and was on the floor. The bad? No miracles to speak of with Luka and Reaves. JJ said they're out indefinitely, and there will be no more updates this week. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky, with guest Jackson Gatlin

 

SEGMENT 1: Kevin Durant and leadership. 

 

SEGMENT 2: What changed for Houston? 

 

SEGMENT 3: Vulnerabilities? 

 

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Once again, it's falling on LeBron James to lead a team into the playoffs. 

This time, though, James is 41 years old, and will enter the series as part of a roster meant to be led by Luka Dončić first and foremost, and then by James and Austin Reaves. With Luka and Reaves unavailable, the lineups around James will be at a constant talent deficit. So can LeBron muster up one more run of greatness, and help the Lakers pull an upset over the Houston Rockets? 

If we're being honest, even if LeBron plays well throughout the series (a reasonably safe bet) Houston would still be favored to win. But it's clear LeBron finds the challenge intriguing, because it's no longer a given he can put on the Superman cape as he once did. It's something very different. The good news is the stakes are more personal than legacy-defining. Nobody expects this series to end well for LA, and LeBron won't get blamed if the Lakers lose. 

But what has to happen to maximize LA's chances? 

The Lakers have to find ways to help LeBron help them. They have to get him the ball in advantageous spots, so he's not constantly fighting through five Rockets to make a play or get a shot. That means ball handling and organizing duties for Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard. They obviously have to support him by making shots and meeting (and even exceeding) offensive expectations. They have to find ways to allow LeBron to hide when needed defensively. And they have to find ways to stay tight in the minutes he doesn't play, so James isn't forced to stay on the floor for 40+ minutes every game in the series. 

Oh, and they really, really need to show out in Game 1, because trying to come back from a series deficit is going to be brutally tough. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

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The news from Monday was, whether intentionally or not, going to get Lakers fans excited. Luka Dončić is on his way back to the US having completed his treatment in Spain. Whether that means he'll actually return to play in time from his injured hamstring to actually help the Lakers remains to be seen—no news yet about any return to play—but for a fanbase that is open to some hopium, this certainly qualifies. 

But at what potential cost? How should Luka and the Lakers think about his recovery? What are the variables that impact any decisions about his return? 

Before the focus shifts entirely to the first round, it's worth remembering just how good Luka's season was, particularly on offense, and appreciating how his attempts to get back on the floor speak to his commitment as a competitor and to the franchise. All good signs. 

Meanwhile, Austin Reaves is still expected to return in early May at the earliest. So if the Lakers want to see either guy, they're going to have to defy the odds against the Rockets. 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers got news about Luka on Monday... was it good news? 

 

SEGMENT 2: The risk/reward of a Luka return... 

 

SEGMENT 3: The guy cooked this year, especially offensively. 

 

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Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Luka Dončić is on his way back from his treatment in Spain on his injured hamstring, and is expected to rejoin the team later this week. Presumably someone will poke around and see how that hammy is doing, but it would certainly be a surprise to see Luka play in the first round, and DEFINITELY would be a shock were it to come by the weekend and Game 1. 

More info will be forthcoming over the course of the week, surely, but for now it's at least a decent sign that the treatment is done and now it's a matter of hoping it accelerates that healing process. 

Austin Reaves? Still expected to be sidelined through most or all of the first round. 

Meanwhile, the Lakers added Nick Smith Jr. to the roster, taking the place of Kobe Bufkin. It was clearly a choice between him and Drew Timme. Did the Lakers make the right call? What does their choice say about the team's current skill set, and the matchup against the Rockets? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

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he Lakers went ahead and played everyone in the rotation (save Jaxson Hayes, still nursing a foot injury) Sunday against Utah, despite having no worse than a four-seed locked up in the West. 

The results were pretty solid. It seems everyone came through it well enough, and in the meantime the Lakers got a few more reps in another confidence boost heading into the postseason. Final score, 131-107. Big picture, another cruise control win can help the Lakers feel good about themselves, but smaller picture it's nice to see them win without a particularly impressive day from LeBron James, who had six assists against four turnovers, and 18 points requiring 15 shots. But Rui Hachimura (8-12) and Deandre Ayton (10-14) picked up the efficiency slack. 

And overall the Lakers are playing about as well as they can be expected given the context. So as they face down a first round series against the Rockets, where do things stand? 

 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

 

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get the win. What it means. 

 

SEGMENT 2: Are there areas where the Lakers can press advantage? 

 

SEGMENT 3: The mential side. 

 

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If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

 

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Gametime

Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.

 

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